OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #14252654
CITY OF RALEIGH, PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
RALEIGH, NC·
Event description
Employees and patrons exposed to chlorine gas
Investigation abstract
Between 11:00 and 11:30 a.m. on August 17, 1989, at Pullen Park, the main circul 20 minutes. Approximately 50 patrons, five pool staff (four lifeguards and the a ssistant manager), and six administrative staff were on site. The pool staff wer e performing their normal duties, while the others were on the site to inspect/e valuate the building's electrical system. All persons were evacuated from the po ol by the locker rooms or pool office through the main entrance to the outside. Thirty-two patrons and Employees #1, #2, and #3 (two lifeguards and one administ rative staff member) were treated by EMS and sent to the hospital for observatio n of minor lung irritation. No employees were admitted, but six patrons were hos pitalized. ation pump of the pool stopped for unknown reasons. When the pump stopped, the D elaval switch on the Strantrol 390 chemical monitoring unit failed to sense the loss of water pressure, thus allowing hydrochloric acid and sodium hypochlorite to be admitted to a closed, static piping system. Approximately 3 liters of hydr ochloric acid and 6 liters of sodium hypochlorite were added, forming approximat ely 322 liters of chlorine gas. Employee #3 started the circulation pump at appr oximately 11:30 a.m., pushing water and chlorine gas into the pool. The gas came out of the solution, forming a vapor cloud that dissipated after approximately
Victims (3)
-
#1 Non-hospitalized injury Age 20 F
- Nature of injury
- 21
- Part of body
- 28
- Event type
- 8
- Source
- 9
- Occupation code
- 427
- Human factor
- 9
- Environmental factor
- 9
- Hazardous substance
- 0640
- Task assigned
- 1
-
#2 Non-hospitalized injury Age 19 F
- Nature of injury
- 21
- Part of body
- 28
- Event type
- 8
- Source
- 9
- Occupation code
- 427
- Human factor
- 9
- Environmental factor
- 9
- Hazardous substance
- 0640
- Task assigned
- 1
-
#3 Non-hospitalized injury Age 26 F
- Nature of injury
- 21
- Part of body
- 28
- Event type
- 8
- Source
- 9
- Occupation code
- 427
- Human factor
- 9
- Environmental factor
- 9
- Hazardous substance
- 0640
- Task assigned
- 2
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